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Don't like that your Slingbox setup is dishing out ads when it wasn't before? You're not alone. Two viewers have sued Sling Media for allegedly pulling a "bait and switch" on existing customers, serving them ads that they hadn't actually agreed to see. It's tantamount to fraud, according to the lawsuit, and it's particularly egregious when many viewers paid $300 or more for their set-top boxes.

As handy as a Slingbox can be for watching TV away from home, it's not as good a deal as it sounds. You usually have to shell out another $15 or more just to get the Slingplayer streaming app for your phone or tablet. Sling is starting to see the light, however. It's shipping a $200 Slingbox M2 bundle that lets you download the Slingplayer Android and iOS apps for free, not just the desktop versions. While this kit costs $50 more than what you'd pay for the M1, it's potentially less expensive if you want apps for multiple mobile devices -- especially if you're not the only one that wants to watch. You'll have to endure "seamlessly integrated" ads for the privilege, but that could be a small price to pay for viewing your favorite shows on every possible screen.

It's getting to the point where when a gadget can't access YouTube it's more noteworthy than one that can. With that in mind, how the venerable Slingbox 500 and Sling TV interact with Google's video empire is pretty damned neat: the platform now uses YouTube as a contextual overlay for whatever it is you're watching. One of the examples the outfit gives is say you're checking out Jimmy Fallon do his Neil Young impression on The Tonight Show. Using Audible Magic's tech, and in this hypothetical case, Sling will serve up the last clip of the talk-show host doing so. Pretty cool, right? There's also a new "Trending on YouTube" gallery that is exactly what it sounds like. Naturally, there's a standalone app for accessing Mountain View's streaming video catalog as well.

Watching Netflix or Plex streams on your Chromecast is great, but what about when the game is on? Sling has enabled its apps on iPhone, iPad and Android phones (Android tablets coming soon) to help with just that situation. Just tap the Cast button in the apps, and you can send video to Google's $35 dongle. Similar to Sling's integration with Apple TV and Roku, once the video is playing, you can use the app as a remote control, or close it and do something else while the video keeps playing. The only bad news? Chromecast support requires one of the company's newer boxes: 350, SlingTV/500 or M1. Still, both devices already make sense for frequent travelers, and now they're better together. The SlingTV is also getting a tweak, as the Android phone and iPhone apps can now control its living room UI directly, without the included remote.

Back in July, Sling announced that one of its first new offerings in almost two years would largely be a software refresh. The out-of-home TV-streaming outfit revealed that, in addition to a new $150 WiFi-equipped M1 option, the familiar-looking SlingTV would replace the pricier Slingbox 500. Well, the time has come, and the new wedge-shaped set-top box that's nearly identical to the 500 on the outside delivers that retooled UI as it goes on sale today. If you'll recall, part of the redesign includes "excitement ratings" from Thuuz that let you know when you should switch over to the big game based on score changes, momentum swings and analysis of the matchup. In addition to the new $300 device, folks who have already splurged for the Slingbox 500 will be privy to a software update that will bring all of the new features to their living rooms -- which includes a remote refresh that's coming to iPhone and Android apps next week.

It's been 10 years since Sling Media was founded, and here we stand with the fifth-generation Slingbox, the M1. Like all Slingboxes before it, the M1 can stream live and DVRed programs to your mobile devices, but this time, it's $150, making it the least expensive model yet. In particular, it's $30 cheaper than its predecessor and boasts the same feature set, but with the addition of built-in WiFi, so you don't need to park the box next to an Ethernet jack. So do the price cut and built-in WiFi make it a more worthwhile purchase? Let's find out.

It's been nearly two years since Sling unveiled new placeshifting boxes, so it's high time the company brought its products into the year 2014. The firm just announced two refreshes, including the entry-level M1, which has a smaller footprint and comes with built-in WiFi so that you don't need to park the thing near an Ethernet cable to stream live and DVR'd TV to your mobile devices. Additionally, it can now be configured using the Android/iOS app, though unfortunately, you need to use old-school component cables (maybe in the year 2016 they'll add HDMI). On the software side, meanwhile, Sling is bringing back its Mac and PC desktop apps, since users seemed to miss them. Most importantly, it's cheaper: The M1 costs $150, compared with $180 for the Slingbox 350 it's replacing.

Nearly two years ago when Sling last brought out some new TV placeshifting hardware we got the interestingly-designed 350 and 500.Zatz Not Funny points out this Slingbox M1 that has appeared on the company's warranty page and in FCC filing, and despite a very plain look, it could be even more appealing to fans of watching all of their TV channels from anywhere with an internet connection. Based on the information in the FCC docs it has WiFi included. Right now getting a Slingbox with WiFi means buying the $300 500 model, and Dave Zatz wonders if this Roku-like box could have a Roku-like pricetag of below $150, which would make it the cheapest one in the lineup. Whatever the M1 turns out to be, its trip through the FCC process means we should find out for sure soon.

Slingbox has pushed out a handful of updates for SlingPlayer on iOS and Android, adding new features on both platforms. On the Android side, Slingbox joined forces with sporting-app Thuuz. Now if you have to skip watching the Giants game for work, SlingPlayer will let you know Tim Lincecum is using his secret mustache powers to pitch a no-hitter. If you can sneak away from your meeting for a "bathroom break," a link within the app will instantly tune you into the hair-raising action. The sports app won't be integrated into the iPhone version of SlingPlayer until this summer, but iOS users can still download it on its own to try out now.

A company called Sling Media burst onto the scene in 2005 with a relatively new idea: give customers the ability to access their home cable and video services while they're traveling. Its "place-shifting" concept was embodied in its first device: the Slingbox. While you're on the road, this set-top-like box served to connect you to your very own TiVo recorded shows, media PC or cable and satellite TV services, provided you had a computer with Sling Media's software and an internet connection (preferably high-speed). The original design was somewhat unique, resembling an oversized candy bar (Sling calls it an "ingot"), and it was a clear favorite of both Engadget editors and readers, earning the title of best home entertainment device for 2005. At launch, the $250 price certainly wasn't cheap -- especially for standard definition only -- and it was markedly Windows-centric, excluding Apple users until its Mac compatible software arrived around 2007.

While "hanging ten" may be out of the question for those in the Northeast this time of year, it's still a great time for a SURFboard. ARRIS, the telecommunications company that acquired Motorola Home early last year, has jumped in to offer a Motorola-ARRIS SURFboard SBG6782-AC Gateway, along with a new Slingbox 500 to help make some waves in one lucky Engadget reader's home media center. The SURFboard is the first retail cable modem that also offers blazing fast WiFi 802.11AC, and it has MoCA networking for sharing multimedia across compatible smart devices. With the Slingbox 500 and its My Media feature, your movies, videos and photos will be accessible to you even when you're away from home. All you need to do is head on down to the Rafflecopter widget below for your chance to win.

CES is always a big show for big TVs, and this year's is certainly no exception. Coming up next, we'll be joined by Sling Media VP and General Manager Michael Hawkey to discuss the ways his company is bringing media to your set.

If you happen to own a Slingbox media streamer and a Windows 8.1/RT device, it's your lucky day. After announcing last month that a SlingPlayer app for Windows was on the way, it's now in the Windows Store, ready for download. Like the iOS and Android versions, which have been out for quite some time, users can take advantage of mobile DVR control and watch either live or recorded TV on their device. Slingbox owners will receive a free, 24-hour trial, but will need to cough up $15 to continue using it.

While December brings no shortage of events to attend in the City by the Bay, we're hosting one of our own, minus the mistletoe. This Thursday, we're bringing Engadget Live to Temple Nightclub in the heart of San Francisco.

Engadget Live is a casual gathering that brings gadget lovers and tech brands together under one roof. We'll have some of the biggest names in technology on hand for you to interact with, including Nokia, Slingbox, TiVo, Gogo and many more. Western Digital is even bringing its Creative Masters, Mikel Paris, to perform throughout the night.

Since we'll be at a nightclub, we're setting up a few themed lounges for you to explore. In one, our friends from the CEA (who put on that little shindig in Vegas called CES) will show off the latest in UHD TVs. In another, Chevrolet will help you #FindNewRoads. And in yet another, Sony will be on hand and letting you go hands-on with the PS4.

The best part about Engadget Live is the cover charge: $0. Temple is close to BART and Caltrain, so getting there from any part of the Bay Area should be simple. Grab your ticket here and we'll see you there on Thursday night beginning at 7:00 PM.

Streaming-media Slingbox devices are going to be getting AirPlay support via the SlingPlayer Mobile app for iPhone and iPad.

According to the company, the feature gives Apple TV customers the ability to watch their home TV on a second TV inside the home (without needing an additional set-top box) or on a remote TV. Slingbox 500, Slingbox 350, Slingbox PRO-HD and Slingbox SOLO customers can take advantage of this fully updated and supported feature, which is arriving via a firmware update that started rolling out yesterday morning. The update is not automatic, so users must go to their Slingbox settings and select "Check updates."

The company also announced a new "My Media" feature that lets Macs access media on a USB drive attached to a Slingbox 500. Support for iOS is coming soon.

Sling Media was an early player in the video place-shifting business. The first Slingbox appeared in 2005.

Sling Media has just rolled out an update that brings a number of improvements to the Slingbox 500 and to the SlingPlayer app. For the Slingbox 500, Blockbuster On Demand is now available as a premium video service along with a new My Media feature that lets users access media via a USB drive. Only PC/Mac SlingPlayer clients can view the USB-stored media for now, though Android and iOS support are coming soon. Speaking of which, AirPlay is now finally supported on the iOS SlingPlayer Mobile apps, and should be compatible with streams from the 500, 350, Pro-HD and SOLO boxes. Last, but not least, the web client of SlingPlayer has also been updated to support Windows 8.1, IE 11, OS X Mavericks and Safari 7. That's a lot to take in, but thankfully the update should've arrived automatically to affected Slingbox users. If that hasn't happened for you, go ahead to the link below for manual upgrade instructions.

If you're an inveterate place-shifter and have the internet bandwidth to spare, there's no longer any reason to keep your cable TV feeds all to yourself. A Watch update has arrived for the Slingbox 350 and 500 media streamers that includes Facebook integration, letting you invite your friends to view your Slingbox streams on a browser when you're not (only one connection is allowed at a time). Along with no doubt more "likes," the update also brings improved zoom controls to handle aspect ratios like anamorphic and letter box, a relocated pause button and advanced device search during setup. You can start inviting your pals on the social network now, but you may want to warn them: you can interrupt their viewing, but they can't interrupt yours. Check the More Coverage link to see which browsers are supported.

While the Slingbox 500 lets you place-shift and sync media from your iOS or Android devices, it's a shame it hasn't been able to play other media, too, since it's parked beside your TV. Slingbox thought so as well, and announced the My Media feature way back in January that would bring video and photo playback to that device and its Slingbox 350 cousin. It's finally arrived via a firmware update, and you'll now be able to check out video and images in most formats from FAT32 or NTFS drives under 3TB in size. Also included are better streaming via iOS devices, improved SlingSync transfer speeds and minor bug fixes. It should be arriving for the Slingbox 350 soon, so if you're hoping to declutter a bit, check your device to grab it.

DirecTV recently switched the name of its Nomad transcoding device to GenieGo to match its new DVRs, a change we first noticed on its Android app. On Windows PC and iOS the apps are about to get a new update that changes the name and lets users stream video from their DVRs over WiFi even when they're away from home (Mac and Android support is due later in the year.) Previously, it allowed users to stream live and recorded TV, or download recorded TV to a mobile device for viewing offline, but Slingbox-style streaming of live or recorded TV anywhere is new, and brings it closer to the device we thought it could be when it launched. Solid Signal and DBSTalk report the incoming update (not live yet, but it should pop up tomorrow) is easy to use, letting users stream recordings, start a recording so it can stream or remotely setting up the transcoder to make a mobile copy users can download once they get home. Satellite TV competitor Dish has brought deeper integration of Sling into its new Hopper DVRs, and now DirecTV has its own in-house solution, anyone thinking of switching sides?

Update: The updated app is now available, check it out at the source link below.

Your Slingbox isn't just for streaming realtime television content anymore. SlingSync, which we first heard about during CES, is now available as part of this week's firmware update, letting you upload photos and videos captured with an Android or iOS device directly to a USB drive connected to a Slingbox 500. Using SlingPlayer Mobile on your handset or tablet, you can opt for either automatic or manual transfers, enabling you to offload captured content for safekeeping. And, assuming the Slingbox 500 is connected to your television, you can then view photos and videos on your TV. Your device will need firmware number 1.3.462 in order to take advantage of SlingSync, while mobile gadgets should be using SlingPlayer Mobile version 2.4.2 for Android or 3.4.1 on iOS. Though the above feature only applies to the 500, the update also marks the return of Audio-Only mode on the Solo, Pro-HD and 500 -- the Slingbox 350 will receive that last feature in a future update.

Microsoft is silent no longer on its buyout of R2 Studios. The software giant has officially confirmed its purchase of R2, a home automation and entertainment startup, for an unspecified amount. It's also clearer that ex-Sling chief and R2 founder Blake Krikorian is central to the deal -- he's becoming a VP in the Interactive Entertainment Business, and much of the release (after the break) centers on Krikorian's content-related design experience and how it could help the Xbox. We'll just have to be patient enough to wait for the eventual results in our living rooms.

The Slingbox news hasn't stopped just because Dish made its big splash. An update to the Slingbox 500 at first, and the 350 later this year, adds a local My Media sync component that lets Android or iOS users offload photos or videos to a USB drive attached to the Slingbox -- they just have to stream their content instead of chewing up their mobile device storage. Both Slingbox 350 and 500 owners are also promised the new Slingbox Companion app you see above. As long as they're toting at least an iPad 2, they can find shows, share their tastes through social networks and use their tablet as a remote without the usual live video of the SlingPlayer app. My Media is arriving first, both as a firmware update and a new SlingPlayer release, in the weeks ahead. Would-be Companion users will need to wait until the app hits iPads in the spring.

Dish's Hopper just took a massive leap. The whole-home DVR solution, which launched at CES last year and began shipping to consumers this past spring, now has built-in Sling functionality -- think of it as a supercharged version of the "SlingLoaded" DVR we first saw in early 2009. The new Broadcom 7125 chipset under the hood enables full Sling capability, with all the benefits of DVR integration, letting you view live TV from any of your subscribed channels, along with each and every program saved to the 2-terabyte hard drive -- there are no content or location restrictions, meaning the box will feed HD video to a compatible device anywhere in the world. Dish subscribers who don't plan to take advantage of Sling will see speed boosts as well, thanks to a new 1.3GHz clock speed and 2 gigs of RAM, with a faster bus speed to boot.

All this power translates to a much smoother experience device-wide. During our hands-on and side-by-side demo with the previous-generation Hopper, menu navigation felt much speedier, with apps launching more quickly and no hiccups during guide scrolling. Like other Sling products, you're limited to one connected device at a time, so don't plan on handing your login to friends and family members on the other end of the world (unless they're willing to play nicely, of course). You'll also have on-demand content through the Dish Anywhere app, and because this is standard video streamed from the web, the simultaneous device limitation jumps to five. Externally, this latest Hopper looks identical to its predecessor, and offers all of the original features, with the added benefit of Sling, boosted performance and built-in WiFi. It's set to ship this month and will ultimately be free for new customers, though an upgrade path for owners of the now-retired original Hopper has yet to be detailed.%Gallery-172635%

If the release of Netgear's new NeoTV PRIME has left you feeling like your earlier model is a bit dated, then maybe some fresh software for that streaming box will ease those woes. Announced today at CES, several new channels are now available on the NeoTV range, with the biggest names being TuneIn Radio -- if you want to rest those eyes for a while -- and SlingPlayer. You'll need a Slingbox at home to take advantage of SlingPlayer, of course, but it means you can pipe live TV to another room in your house or, if you're in the habit of carting your NeoTV box around, wherever else you take it. WKNTV has also been added, giving you access to live and on-demand content from Korea, and ShopNBC for live feeds of a bunch of hypnotic shopping channels -- you know, for when you wanna watch overly charismatic presenters earn their keep.

Every TV maker trying to avoid total commoditization has a special trick to keep its designs unique and worth a higher price. For JVC, that trick is sound. It's launching the BlackSapphire line of LCD-based 3D TVs with the 55-inch, edge LED-lit JLE55SP4400, whose signature is an unusually powerful built-in audio system: the 45W system and 3D processing supposedly produces surround sound without having to line the living room with extra speakers. Odds are that the set won't provide much competition for dedicated speakers, although JVC is promising more integration beyond this with rare built-in SlingPlayer TV streaming, just in case there's a Slingbox in another part of the home. The all-in strategy could make the inaugural BlackSapphire more of a bargain than it looks: that $1,300 you'll pay when the screen ships this month might be all you need to start watching.